Concrete bucket



Nov. 7', 1939. V. SCHIAVI 2,179,428

CONCRETE BUCKET Filed Jan. 24, 1959 VA/CENT Se 1mm/ Patented Nov. 7, 1939 UNETED STATES .PATENT OFFiCE l Claim.

T lis invention relates to an improved bucket for transporting plastic materials.

In the handling ci concrete for structural work, it is the common practice to transport the concrete from a mixing station to the required points of delivery by means oi a relatively large receptacle, commonly called a` bucket, having a suitable bail by which it is suspended from a crane, or the like, and a releasable means for discharg ing the concrete from the bottom thereof.

Structural concrete work presents variable conditions in the delivery of the concrete, such as relatively restricted spaces between forms; the uniform delivery oi the concrete; the rate at which it is delivered; and the amount that is delivered at any required point.

While many different forms of buckets have heretofore been used or proposed for transporting concrete, they have not oilered maximum et nciency under the variable conditions presented in concrete work.

It is a primary object of this invention to provide a bucket :for transporting concrete or other plastic materials which substantially fullls the maximum requirements of devices of this kind under all of the many variable conditions of delivery in concrete work.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a bucket for transporting concrete, or the like, which embodies a receptacle having a relatively large receiving tcp; a restricted discharge bottom and material discharge control means within the receptacle operable externally of the receptacle.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a concrete bucket embodying a unitary receptacle having a relatively large material receiving portion defined by a vertical wall;

material guiding portion defined by a downwardly converging wall; a restricted delivery portion also defined by a downwardly converging wall, and an externally operable material discharge control valve pivotally supported adjacent the bottom of the material delivery portion.

Yet another aim of the invention is 'the provision of a bucket for transporting concrete or other plastic material which is or" simple, compact, and substantial construction and which is capable of manufacture at relatively little eX- pense.

To the accomplishment oi these and related objects as will become apparent as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described; illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and pointed out in the appended claim.

For a more complete understanding of the .invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of the disclosure, and wherein like characters designate like parts in the different views thereof.

In the draWing:-

Fig. l, is a side elevational View of the improved l bucket in a preferred structural embodiment thereof. v

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view in a plane substantially as indicated by the line 2--2 in Fig.

l, the View indicating the valve in open position l5 by dot and dash lines.

Fig. 3 is a top plan View of the bucket.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, the improved bucket designated in its entirety by the character B is generally of hopper-form and comprises an upper or top portion l@ Whose wall is vertical and preferably, though not necessarily, circular in plan; an intermediate or central body portion l l whose Wall converges downwardly and which is of frustro-conical form, and a bottom 95%, "W

discharge spout l2.

As indicated in Fig. 1, the portions lil, li and it are integral, but they (and particularly the spout Ii!) may be individual parts and connected to each other in any desired manner.

It is to be observed, however, that the one piece integral construction avoids joints and securing means thereby presenting a smooth inner surface for the unobstructed movement oi the concrete toward the bottom of the bucket upo,1 being discharged therefrom.

The bucket includes a bail i3 of any sui able or desirable form for transporting of the y, loket by a crane or the like. As indicatedthe align consists of a bar of sheet metal having ends extended through opposite walls of thief portion m as indicated at I4, said bail having atlcentrally disposed upward bend I E for receivirfvgya hook or the like. i

A shaft i6 extends diametriflally through the opposite walls of the bucket adijacent the junction of the portions Ii and i2 ajjhd has its opposite ends rotatably journalled in 'bearing lugs H sercured to the exterior wall ci the bucket.

The shaft i6 rigidly supports a butteriiy valve It which normally lies in horizontal balanced position, as indicated in Fig. 2, for supporting the bottom of the concrete mass and permitting discharge thereof through the spout I2 in a manner later described.

w ai

A bail-shaped lever i9 has the free ends of its legs 2E) fastened to the shaft lli adjacent the bearing lugs il', with the horizontal portion 2i serving as a hand grip for rocking the lever in controlling the valve i8. The lever i9 in its normal position wherein the valve I8 is in horizontal closed position, projects obliquely upwardly with its horizontal portion in engagement with the exterior of the bucket wall and is maintained in such position by any suitable retaining means.

'Ihe retaining means for the lever as shown comprises a pair of brackets 22 and 22? fixed to the exterior wall of the bucket in sufficiently spaced relation to receive the hand grip portion 2l of the lever therebetween, as is most clearly indicated in Fig. 2. The brackets 22 and E3 have aligned apertures for the removable reception of a pin for holding the lever against downward swinging movement and thereby maintaining the valve is in material sustaining position.

The improved bucket as above described in detail substantially satisfies the varied requirements in concrete work in that the relatively large open upper end portion Eil provides for admission of the material without any attendant danger' ci spilling; the downwardly converging central portion receives the greater portion of the mass of material and aids in the gravitational discharge when the valve is open, and the restricted downwardly converging spout well adapts the bucket for use in discharging concrete in relatively narrow spaces between forms, and the like.

The absence of joints and fastening means provides a smooth inner surface for the unrestricted gravitational discharge of the material. The balanced butterfly valve E8 supports the mass of material above the discharge spout i2 while being transported and by manual manipulation of the lever I9, after release of pin 24, the material may be expeditiously and conveniently discharged in the required amounts and at any desired rate dependent upon the extent of opening of the valve. It is to be particularly noted that the operating means for the valve is Wholly eX- ternally of the bucket.

The improved bucket is simple and durable in construction and may be made from any desired material of a gauge dependent upon the size Vof the bucket.

While there is disclosed but a single specic embodiment of the invention, such is to be considered as illustrative only and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being dcned in the sub-joined claim.

What I claim and desire to secure by U. S. Letters Patent is:

A concrete bucket comprising a unitary body including a relatively large upper portion defined by an annular vertical Wall, an intermediate portion defined by a downwardly converging annular wall, and a lower discharge portion defined by a second downwardly converging annular wall; a pair of spaced bearings secured to the buck opposed positions, a rotatable shaft ig diametrically through the body at the junction of the intermediate and lower discharge portions and through said bearings, a butterfly valve centrally secured to said shaft within the bucket and normally closing the narrowest part of the intermediate pcrtion, an operating lever including a pair or leg members respectively secured to opposite ends of the shaft outwardly of said bearing members and a hand grip portion between` the leg members, a pin removably supported by the outer wall of the body for holding the lever in normal position with the valve closed.

VINCENT SCHIAV'I. 

